Actors against Ableism? Qualities of Nondisabled Allies from the Perspective of People with Physical Disabilities

We report the results of an interview-based study of the qualities that people with physical and sensory disabilities use to describe effective nondisabled allies. Participants (n = 16) were asked to describe a nondisabled person in their life who understood and cared about the concerns of people with disabilities. A thematic analysis of their responses suggested that they appreciated nondisabled people who offered appropriate help, were trustworthy in their understanding of disability identity, made personal connections, advocated and acted against ableism, were willing to learn, and communicated effectively. Consistent with research about White allies to people of color, participants emphasized both political and social dimensions of being an ally.